Girl Gamers Duke it out

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By Robert 'Apache' Howarth

Wired has a piece up called Women Gamers Duke It Out which takes a look at how developers can attract more grrrrl gamers into multiplayer fun:

"...violence, the use of force as a primary game mechanic, is an excellent way to keep women from playing your game. Negative emotions aren't attractive to women. They don't like heavy, adrenaline-rich, head-to-head sports. I play Half-Life 2, but if I get shot at, I run."

Not everyone is running.

Doom designer John Romero downplays the appeal of "blood and violence and body parts flying around," but many women say they like it.

"There are exceptions to every generalization," said Morgan Romine, captain of the Frag Dolls. "I've seen the whole spectrum, every color of the rainbow. There are girls who love big guns and bloody creatures.

You know the key to getting girls to play online games? Voice com. Girls love to chat.